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Wisconsin is not going to get "Exciting Transfers." We're going to have to have hope that we are getting hungry mentally and physically strong tough smart players that just weren't given a chance or were overlooked. We aren't going to get receivers like Ohio State - it's just not going to happen. Nobody transferring in is going to be a WOW!
But they can be good and play. Wisconsin never got the best recruits. We got hungry mentally and physically strong tough smart players that were overlooked by other programs and coached and inspired them up to overachieving. That is going to have to happen for Wisconsin to rebound now. It can happen. Indiana did it a couple of years ago with James Madison or some other 'powerhouse' players. Indiana's quarterback was at Cal - I live in San Diego - not Berkely, but know Cal Grads and Cal is in California, and nobody mentioned him. The players are out there. We need to get the best hungry mentally and physically strong tough smart players that just weren't given a chance or were overlooked that we can and see what happens.
As we saw with the defense, an injection of younger players with an attitude can make a difference. No more of this, he's got to get experience before he plays. Play freshmen if they are performing better - and it's hard to believe some won't be.
On to Coach Fickell: I've supported him and do. Let's be realistic. We don't know a damn thing about how good a coach he could be. He kept Bucky playing hard all year with an inept offense. He coached Bucky to 2 wins in the B1G. Bucky was actually a hell of a lot closer in several games than expected. If it hadn't of been for Maryland and Iowa debacles, I think people would think he did a remarkable job.
There's lots of reports he's an ass. I have some people with personal experience saying he's a gentleman and a great guy. I don't know.
He might not be the best coach, and results alone make it questionable that he has a job. But, who could have been with Bucky this year:
THE BAD:
OFFENSIVE LINE (INCLUDING TIGHT ENDS):
We never once played the Offensive Line that we were hoping would be Bucky's starting offensive line in the Spring of 2025. We hardly had 2d string guys playing. Many were 3rd string or worse. Most were playing out of position because we needed somebody.
Now, I wasn't happy about their mental and/or physical strength. It certainly wasn't up to Bucky standards.
See quarterback play. It's hard to throw a pass downfield when you are looking straight up at the sky because you're on your back.
They were horrible. But they would have been less horrible and maybe serviceable without all the chaos from injuries.
QUARTERBACK:
Arguably, the most important position of any team.
First String QB a transfer from Maryland who didn't fight to keep him and wanted a true freshman instead. He gets hurt in 1st half of 1st game. Comes back to try against his old team. Plays a couple plays and is done for the season. I don't want him back. I don't think he was ever the answer.
2d String QB transfer from San Diego State where he started as a Freshman showed why San Diego State didn't care he left. He couldn't hit a barn from 10 feet away. He could run and had Chutzpah. Then he got hurt for the season.
3d String QB a graduate transfer who didn't start at Southern Illinois and who probably just wanted to go to school and be part of the team gets thrust in against Michigan and plays possibly the best QB of the season. He throws a pretty good looking pass - probably the best looking pass from a Wisconsin QB in years. IF he's not pressured - then it's a crap shoot. He has horrible ability to see the field.
Then the 4th String QB starts playing. Passing is not his strong point. But he's got some moxie, and the offense appears to rally around his efforts and him. Don't know why he got pulled against Minnesota for number 3 above. He was learning and getting better. And, out of 1 - 4, he's the future. Don't understand that. Hope he wasn't injured. Hope he's not a mental midget, thinks he got disrespected, and transfers. But, not sure if he really is the future. He is the best we have at the moment.
RUNNING BACK:
We were on at least our 3d string if not 4th - 5th string running backs. Running behind a horrible offensive line that couldn't keep me from a Lite Beer I avoid.
RECEIVERS (INCLUDING TIGHT ENDS):
Who knows what they can do? See Offensive Line and then quarterbacks.
Sometimes when the ball came their way, they were wondering what the hell it was.
I think we lose Kekahuna. He was supposed to be something. If he has aspirations at the NFL, he has to leave.
I thought one or two of our Tight Ends started playing better at the end of the season. Maybe there's hope.
THE NOT SO BAD:
DEFENSE:
Once the Defense played the freshman linebackers it seemed to take on an entirely new attitude. Were they great? No, but they were pretty good.
Weren't cornerbacks decimated with injuries early? They got beat pretty bad against Maryland and Ohio State. Luckily Oregon was a slogfest in the rain.
If the defense can improve the secondary, it could be pretty good next year. It's something to build on.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Horrible early.
But, you have to give the punting team some credit for frequently having the biggest offensive play.
NEEDS FOR NEXT YEAR:
LESS INJURIES:
I don't know what's in the water. But something isn't right. Who knows how good Bucky could be, because we've been playing with backups for 3 years. Next year the guys have to stay healthy.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
All Bucky Football wants for Christmas is an Offensive Line. Getting an offensive line that can create some holes and pass block will make a huge difference. Everything starts on the line. I have no animosity against this years line, they just weren't good, smart, or tough enough, and, unfortunately, I didn't see anything that indicates they will be better individually or together next year. If they're starting next year, Bucky's in trouble.
QUARTERBACK:
A Quarterback. I don't know if it's Smith. Pulling him against Minnesota was a mistake.
It's hard because it was so bad. But, then look at it. It's amazing it held together and fought to the end. We need some of these non-needle movers on paper to move the needle on the field next year. It can happen. Go Bucky!
RECRUITING AND TRANSFER PORTAL:
Remember it's a Turkey Shoot - ours might be like a Turkey Drop.
But, these kids commit and decommit for tons of reasons at a moment's notice. Every time they do they get to make and post a new instagram. It's just the way it is. We're losing guys. So is everybody else.
We lost a DL Recruit to Iowa and our Saturday's Grand Valley State (wherever that is) flipped to Kansas.
It's not the best. Neither was GREAT! As I stated earlier, we need to find the kids that were overlooked, not given a shot, and unwanted that are hungry mentally and physically strong tough smart players and hope their attitude and desire can turn things around. We're not getting the cream of the crop. We need to get hungry mentally and physically strong tough smart players.
But they can be good and play. Wisconsin never got the best recruits. We got hungry mentally and physically strong tough smart players that were overlooked by other programs and coached and inspired them up to overachieving. That is going to have to happen for Wisconsin to rebound now. It can happen. Indiana did it a couple of years ago with James Madison or some other 'powerhouse' players. Indiana's quarterback was at Cal - I live in San Diego - not Berkely, but know Cal Grads and Cal is in California, and nobody mentioned him. The players are out there. We need to get the best hungry mentally and physically strong tough smart players that just weren't given a chance or were overlooked that we can and see what happens.
As we saw with the defense, an injection of younger players with an attitude can make a difference. No more of this, he's got to get experience before he plays. Play freshmen if they are performing better - and it's hard to believe some won't be.
On to Coach Fickell: I've supported him and do. Let's be realistic. We don't know a damn thing about how good a coach he could be. He kept Bucky playing hard all year with an inept offense. He coached Bucky to 2 wins in the B1G. Bucky was actually a hell of a lot closer in several games than expected. If it hadn't of been for Maryland and Iowa debacles, I think people would think he did a remarkable job.
There's lots of reports he's an ass. I have some people with personal experience saying he's a gentleman and a great guy. I don't know.
He might not be the best coach, and results alone make it questionable that he has a job. But, who could have been with Bucky this year:
THE BAD:
OFFENSIVE LINE (INCLUDING TIGHT ENDS):
We never once played the Offensive Line that we were hoping would be Bucky's starting offensive line in the Spring of 2025. We hardly had 2d string guys playing. Many were 3rd string or worse. Most were playing out of position because we needed somebody.
Now, I wasn't happy about their mental and/or physical strength. It certainly wasn't up to Bucky standards.
See quarterback play. It's hard to throw a pass downfield when you are looking straight up at the sky because you're on your back.
They were horrible. But they would have been less horrible and maybe serviceable without all the chaos from injuries.
QUARTERBACK:
Arguably, the most important position of any team.
First String QB a transfer from Maryland who didn't fight to keep him and wanted a true freshman instead. He gets hurt in 1st half of 1st game. Comes back to try against his old team. Plays a couple plays and is done for the season. I don't want him back. I don't think he was ever the answer.
2d String QB transfer from San Diego State where he started as a Freshman showed why San Diego State didn't care he left. He couldn't hit a barn from 10 feet away. He could run and had Chutzpah. Then he got hurt for the season.
3d String QB a graduate transfer who didn't start at Southern Illinois and who probably just wanted to go to school and be part of the team gets thrust in against Michigan and plays possibly the best QB of the season. He throws a pretty good looking pass - probably the best looking pass from a Wisconsin QB in years. IF he's not pressured - then it's a crap shoot. He has horrible ability to see the field.
Then the 4th String QB starts playing. Passing is not his strong point. But he's got some moxie, and the offense appears to rally around his efforts and him. Don't know why he got pulled against Minnesota for number 3 above. He was learning and getting better. And, out of 1 - 4, he's the future. Don't understand that. Hope he wasn't injured. Hope he's not a mental midget, thinks he got disrespected, and transfers. But, not sure if he really is the future. He is the best we have at the moment.
RUNNING BACK:
We were on at least our 3d string if not 4th - 5th string running backs. Running behind a horrible offensive line that couldn't keep me from a Lite Beer I avoid.
RECEIVERS (INCLUDING TIGHT ENDS):
Who knows what they can do? See Offensive Line and then quarterbacks.
Sometimes when the ball came their way, they were wondering what the hell it was.
I think we lose Kekahuna. He was supposed to be something. If he has aspirations at the NFL, he has to leave.
I thought one or two of our Tight Ends started playing better at the end of the season. Maybe there's hope.
THE NOT SO BAD:
DEFENSE:
Once the Defense played the freshman linebackers it seemed to take on an entirely new attitude. Were they great? No, but they were pretty good.
Weren't cornerbacks decimated with injuries early? They got beat pretty bad against Maryland and Ohio State. Luckily Oregon was a slogfest in the rain.
If the defense can improve the secondary, it could be pretty good next year. It's something to build on.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Horrible early.
But, you have to give the punting team some credit for frequently having the biggest offensive play.
NEEDS FOR NEXT YEAR:
LESS INJURIES:
I don't know what's in the water. But something isn't right. Who knows how good Bucky could be, because we've been playing with backups for 3 years. Next year the guys have to stay healthy.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
All Bucky Football wants for Christmas is an Offensive Line. Getting an offensive line that can create some holes and pass block will make a huge difference. Everything starts on the line. I have no animosity against this years line, they just weren't good, smart, or tough enough, and, unfortunately, I didn't see anything that indicates they will be better individually or together next year. If they're starting next year, Bucky's in trouble.
QUARTERBACK:
A Quarterback. I don't know if it's Smith. Pulling him against Minnesota was a mistake.
It's hard because it was so bad. But, then look at it. It's amazing it held together and fought to the end. We need some of these non-needle movers on paper to move the needle on the field next year. It can happen. Go Bucky!
RECRUITING AND TRANSFER PORTAL:
Remember it's a Turkey Shoot - ours might be like a Turkey Drop.
But, these kids commit and decommit for tons of reasons at a moment's notice. Every time they do they get to make and post a new instagram. It's just the way it is. We're losing guys. So is everybody else.
We lost a DL Recruit to Iowa and our Saturday's Grand Valley State (wherever that is) flipped to Kansas.
It's not the best. Neither was GREAT! As I stated earlier, we need to find the kids that were overlooked, not given a shot, and unwanted that are hungry mentally and physically strong tough smart players and hope their attitude and desire can turn things around. We're not getting the cream of the crop. We need to get hungry mentally and physically strong tough smart players.
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